“Barker has few peers worldwide for flexibility, resourcefulness, imagination and a complete absence of rhythmic clichés.” John Shand (SMH 2010)

“Simon Barker is one of Australia’s most extraordinary jazz drummers, playing with an intensity that is virtually unrivalled. Through his transcultural performances, master classes and musical explorations in Korea, Japan, China, and elsewhere, Barker has considerably extended the vocabulary of Australian jazz.” Tony Mitchell (Music Forum 2010)

I studied here in Australia with Jon Collins, and had lessons with a huge range of drummers in Australia, the US, and Korea. Since 1990 I’ve performed throughout Australia, Europe, Asia and the US. In 2001, I studied with Kang Sun il. In 2005 I set up Kimnara Records, a little independent record label presenting new music by Australian improvisers. I’m currently working as a lecturer at The University of Sydney/Conservatorium of Music.

Since 2010, with the release of ‘Driftwood’, I’ve been making solo drumming recordings including the recently released Chants Kinetic, Variations on A Running Rhythm, and Precipice Remain. Over the past 30 years I’ve been involved in several ongoing collaborative projects including Band of Five Names (with Phil Slater and Matt McMahon), Showa 44 (duo with Carl Dewhurst), Lost Thoughts (duo with Scott Tinkler), and Chiri (trio with Bae il Dong and Scott Tinkler).

Recently, I’ve collaborated with numerous local and international artists including Eunhye Jeong, Jen Shyu, Gian Slater, Kim Hyelim, Chris Hale, Tony Malaby and Kris Davis, Jo Jonghun and Lim Mijeong (Byeolsinak), Mary Rapp and Carl Dewhurst, as well as with Henry Kaiser, Bill Laswell, and Rudresh Mahanthappa (on the 2018 recording Mudang Rock).

Along with collaborative groups I’ve been fortunate to play regularly with with many of Australia’s most established ensembles including the Phil Slater Qt, Baecastuff, Matt McMahon trio, Vince Jones, the Australian Art Orchestra, Katie Noonan, Red Fish Blue, the Paul Grabowsky sextet, Cameron Undy’s 20th Century Dog, Stu Hunter, as well as various groups led by Scott Tinkler.

In the past I’ve performed and recorded with a great variety of local artists and ensembles including John Sangster, Mark Simmonds’ Freeboppers, Bernie McGann, Jamie Oehlers, Marc Hannaford, Don Burrows, Dale Barlow, Tim Stevens’ Trio, Sandy Evans GEST8, Mark Isaacs Trio, Judy Bailey, Ian Chaplin, James Muller, Clarion Fracture Zone, Roger Dean, Julian Wilson, James Greening. I’ve recorded over sixty CDs with local and international jazz artists including ARIA winner “Fire” by a great musical mentor, Mark Simmonds, and have been very fortunate to have the opportunity to perform with many international touring artists visiting Australia including Jason Moran, Marylyn Crisspell, Tim Berne, Joe Lovano, Ed Schuller, Makoto Kuria, Claire Martin, Sheila Jordan, Gary Smulyan, John Hicks and Carlos Ward.

If you would like to get in touch please contact me at: simbark@hotmail.com